Join our Yosemite Winter Hotel Tour. Immerse yourself in the beauty and solitude of Yosemite National Park in the winter season and run away with us for two days of crisp, fresh mountain air. Here you’ll witness a Yosemite that few tourists get to see: towering granite monoliths blanketed in snow and magnificent waterfalls frozen in time. At night, kick back with a warm drink, arrange a twilight or night hike, or hear stories told fireside at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel and sleep comfortably in the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.During your free time, you’ll have the flexibility to craft your own experience: hike some of the valley trails, join a ranger program, go snowshoeing, ice skate, or take a guided tour of the valley floor. If you’re feeling adventurous, add an optional day ticket to Badger Pass for downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and tubing down the slopes surrounding the park (shuttle transport, gear rental, and lessons included)! Only the explorer who visits Yosemite National Park in the winter months will truly understand the exquisite silence and majestic views that endeared travelers like John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt to this astounding landscape.**Note: Some activities are not accessible in extreme weather or due to road closures. Every attempt will be made to find comparable activities if these options are not available during your trip.**This tour runs daily, November-March. See our Yosemite Experience 2 Day Hotel Tour for summer-season overnights in Yosemite.

Sample Itinerary – Day 1

6:00am – 7:00am:

Pick up from San Francisco hotels

7:00am – 11:30am:

Cross the Bay Bridge and see Alcatraz and Angel Island. Travel through Oakland and the East Bay, then on to the Central Valley. There will be a quick stop at a local fruit stand to pick up some fresh produce and an opportunity to buy lunch in advance (not included). Travel through the Gold Country and Sierra Foothills.

11:00am – 12:30pm:

Enjoy a narrated, guided tour through Yosemite’s glaciated valley with its famous waterfalls and rock formations from the comfort of the mini-coach (with a few photo-stops) as you descend into Yosemite Valley, and learn some history about this amazing park. From these higher elevations, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and many of the frozen waterfalls all at once!

12:30pm-(end of day):

Stop for the afternoon at Yosemite Lodge; right at the base of Yosemite Falls. Check in to the hotel, or just store your luggage at the front desk (and pick up your Stay and Play tickets if you’ve ordered them). Maps and guides in hand, you’ll get a chance to explore Yosemite’s natural wonders on your own for the remainder of the day. Before exiting the vehicle, your guide will provide a choice of activities that may include:

getting some lunch or dinner at any of the wonderful restaurants in the area (dining guides available upon request)

spending time at the main visitor’s center or the Ansel Adams Gallery

hiking some of the trails from the valley (snowshoes are available for rent at Curry Village if you’re feeling adventurous)

taking a guided tour of the valley*

ice skating at the Curry Village ice rink*

listening to fireside storytelling at the Ahwahnee Hotel

taking a twilight or night hike with an experienced Yosemite guide

* included in the Stay & Play ticket

Sample Itinerary – Day 2

7:00am (or whenever you choose to start your day):

Enjoy breakfast at Yosemite Lodge (included in your stay – just present them with your ticket!), and then head back out for another day of exploring. Check your bag at the desk, and pick it up when you’re ready to head home!

8:00am – 3:30pm:

Hang out in Yosemite and do as you please*; just be ready to meet your group back at Yosemite Lodge at 3:30pm for the journey back home.
*If you have opted for the Stay and Play ticket, you can catch the 8:20am shuttle up to Badger Pass for a day of skiing, snowboarding, tubing with gear rental and group lessons included! Catch the afternoon shuttle back into the valley to pick up your luggage and meet your driver.

3:30pm – 9:00pm:

Head back West through the mountains, orchards, and fields towards the city. Enjoy the skyline of San Francisco at night as we cross the Bay Bridge and return you to your lodging.

**SampleItineraries: Please note that due to rapidly-changing conditions (weather, crowds, traffic) in Yosemite Park and the small size of our vehicles/groups, we’re able to allow our guides the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. While we guarantee that we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order. **

prices start at $469 double occ*

*Single, triple, and quad occupancy rates available

Yosemite Lodge at the Falls

Spend the night in the heart of Yosemite Valley at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. The hotel is located at the base of Yosemite Falls – the waterfall that inspired its name! The lodge rooms are somewhat larger than “standard rooms”, and open to a patio or a balcony. They have a private bathroom, dressing area, activity table, telephone and television with select programming (no refrigerators). Bedding configurations include one king bed or two double beds. Please note: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls does not have air conditioning in any guest accommodations.

** Scheduling Tip: Accommodations in Yosemite park are in very high demand (especially during the holidays), and space on this tour fills up fast! We recommend that you make your reservation far in advance of your intended travel date in order to secure the style of accommodations you want. If your intended accommodation is NOT available, we will to the best we can to help find something for you. **

Add some Adventure to your Vacation!

Looking for more than the Valley Floor? Winter in Yosemite National Park has so much to offer to the adventurous traveller! Only a short ride away from Yosemite Valley, Badger Pass Ski Area is a full-service ski resort perfect for all ages and skill levels. With our additional “Stay n’ Play” ticket* (only $50 per person), you’ll have 24 hours of fun in the snow with access to a complimentary shuttle, lift tickets, group ski and snowboard instruction, rental equipment, an ice skating session, and even a guided tour of the valley floor! Simply pick up your ticket when you check in to the hotel, and begin your adventure! Stay and Play additional inclusions (24 hour ticket):